Overview

Ammonium hydroxide (uh-MOH-ni-um hye-DROK-side) is a clear, colorless aqueous solution consisting of ammonia gas dissolved in water. The compound does not exist in any other state. Ammonium hydroxide has a strong pungent, suffocating odor caused by the release of ammonia gas from the solution. Most solutions of ammonium hydroxide range in concentration from less than one percent to about 35 percent ammonia. For most commercial purposes the lowest concentration is about 10 percent ammonia in water.

How It Is Made

Ammonium hydroxide is prepared by passing ammonia gas (NH₃) into water. Once prepared, ammonium hydroxide solutions tend to be very stable.

Key Facts

Other Names:

Ammonia solution, aqua ammonia, ammonium hydrate, spirits of hartshorn

Formula:

NH₄OH

Elements:

Nitrogen, hydrogen, oxygen

Compound Type:

Inorganic base

State:

Aqueous solution (exists only in solution)

Molecular Weight:

35.05 g/mol

Melting Point:

Not applicable

Boiling Point:

Not applicable

Solubility:

Not applicable...